EU requires hand baggage to be included in airline ticket price

The European Union has adopted a regulation that obliges airlines operating in the EU and the European Economic Area to include one piece of hand baggage in the advertised fare. The rule, stemming from a 2014 EU court decision, aims to improve price transparency and passenger rights.

Airlines may still offer a lower fare to customers who travel with only a personal item that fits under the seat, but the discounted price will only appear after the passenger selects the option of travelling without a cabin bag. Experts warn that, while the fare will now show a single bag as part of the ticket, the overall price of flights could rise because the cost of the bag is shifted into the base fare. The regulation is expected to be implemented around 2027 and will apply to carriers such as SAS, Norwegian, Widerøe and other EU/EØS airlines.